Long-term plans for Holt focusing on improvement

FEMA leading planning sessions to craft goals for area

Lingering tornado devastation is seen from Crescent Lane East in the Holt community on Wednesday. Tuscaloosa County asked FEMA to help plan a long-term vision for the Holt community. Volunteers divided into smaller committies to tackle different aspects of the larger plan, which will be presented to the community in October or November.

Staff photo | Dusty Compton

By Adam JonesStaff Writer

Published: Monday, August 8, 2011 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, August 7, 2011 at 9:51 p.m.

Like their neighbors in the city, Holt and surrounding homes are putting together a long-term recovery plan to help put their community back together after a tornado devastated parts of it more than three months ago.

But unlike those in the city of Tuscaloosa, people in the Holt area don’t live in a municipality with powers over land use and zoning. The long-term plan for Holt will be different than Tuscaloosa, but its blueprint could be as important outside the city as inside.

“It’s a great step forward, because Holt has the opportunity to be better because of this,” said the Rev. Shaun Faulkner of the long-term plan.

Faulkner, who grew up in Holt, is a pastor at Soma Of Christ Church in the Holt area. His house off Holt-­Peterson Road was destroyed in the April 27 tornado. In the two meetings he’s attended, Faulkner said people are excited and passionate about what they hope the Holt area looks like once it begins to rebuild.

“The greater Holt community coming together and having one voice is a good thing,” he said.

The Tuscaloosa County Commission requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s long term community recovery program work with the Holt community in devising the plan. FEMA offers the service to cities, towns and unincorporated communities hit by a catastrophic disaster at no cost to the community.

The service is not required, however, and the city of Tuscaloosa chose to hire a consultant to help craft its long-term plan, named Tuscaloosa Forward. Across Alabama, nine communities affected by the tornado outbreak on April 27 are using FEMA to help make long-term plans.

FEMA held its first meeting at Soma Church July 12, and about 130 people came, according to FEMA.

Volunteers divided into committees to tackle different aspects of a long-term plan and are meeting regularly.

Another combined meeting will likely be held in a few weeks, and the plan will probably be presented back to the community in late October or November, said Bob Haywood, head of long-term recovery for FEMA in the state.

“We try to create the opportunity for the community to lead its own destiny,” Haywood said.

Haywood said that while crafting a long-term plan for an unincorporated area of Tuscaloosa County has some challenges, the plan will not focus on something the County Commission cannot control, such as the type of businesses and possible future locations, for instance.

Hardy McCollum, Tuscaloosa County probate judge, agreed, and he said the success of any long-term plan depends on the property owners in the area.

“The plan would ultimately have to embrace things that were doable,” he said.

Much of the focus so far has been on infrastructure, such as better roads, lighting and water and sewer, McCollum said.

“You can improve the quality of life a lot of ways,” he said.

The plan will also reflect the coming Eastern Bypass planned to connect Interstate 20/59 to Paul W. Bryant Bridge, Haywood and McCollum said. The Alabama Department of Transportation began contacting residents in the path of the proposed bypass whose homes and property were destroyed or damaged by the tornado for right-of-way purchase. McCollum said about 130 properties in the path were affected by the tornado.

McCollum said it’s an opportunity to incorporate what the community wants to the bypass through their area to look like. Also, there has been concern that green space, particularly Hurricane Creek, is preserved and made accessible, ­McCollum said.

When finished, the long-term plan will be given to members of the community, and it will be up to them to ensure it is not forgotten, Haywood said.

<p>Like their neighbors in the city, Holt and surrounding homes are putting together a long-term recovery plan to help put their community back together after a tornado devastated parts of it more than three months ago.</p><p>But unlike those in the city of Tuscaloosa, people in the Holt area don't live in a municipality with powers over land use and zoning. The long-term plan for Holt will be different than Tuscaloosa, but its blueprint could be as important outside the city as inside.</p><p>“It's a great step forward, because Holt has the opportunity to be better because of this,” said the Rev. Shaun Faulkner of the long-term plan.</p><p>Faulkner, who grew up in Holt, is a pastor at Soma Of Christ Church in the Holt area. His house off Holt-­Peterson Road was destroyed in the April 27 tornado. In the two meetings he's attended, Faulkner said people are excited and passionate about what they hope the Holt area looks like once it begins to rebuild.</p><p>“The greater Holt community coming together and having one voice is a good thing,” he said.</p><p>The Tuscaloosa County Commission requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency's long term community recovery program work with the Holt community in devising the plan. FEMA offers the service to cities, towns and unincorporated communities hit by a catastrophic disaster at no cost to the community.</p><p>The service is not required, however, and the city of Tuscaloosa chose to hire a consultant to help craft its long-term plan, named Tuscaloosa Forward. Across Alabama, nine communities affected by the tornado outbreak on April 27 are using FEMA to help make long-term plans.</p><p>FEMA held its first meeting at Soma Church July 12, and about 130 people came, according to FEMA. </p><p>Volunteers divided into committees to tackle different aspects of a long-term plan and are meeting regularly. </p><p>Another combined meeting will likely be held in a few weeks, and the plan will probably be presented back to the community in late October or November, said Bob Haywood, head of long-term recovery for FEMA in the state.</p><p>“We try to create the opportunity for the community to lead its own destiny,” Haywood said.</p><p>Haywood said that while crafting a long-term plan for an unincorporated area of Tuscaloosa County has some challenges, the plan will not focus on something the County Commission cannot control, such as the type of businesses and possible future locations, for instance.</p><p>Hardy McCollum, Tuscaloosa County probate judge, agreed, and he said the success of any long-term plan depends on the property owners in the area.</p><p>“The plan would ultimately have to embrace things that were doable,” he said.</p><p>Much of the focus so far has been on infrastructure, such as better roads, lighting and water and sewer, McCollum said.</p><p>“You can improve the quality of life a lot of ways,” he said.</p><p>The plan will also reflect the coming Eastern Bypass planned to connect Interstate 20/59 to Paul W. Bryant Bridge, Haywood and McCollum said. The Alabama Department of Transportation began contacting residents in the path of the proposed bypass whose homes and property were destroyed or damaged by the tornado for right-of-way purchase. McCollum said about 130 properties in the path were affected by the tornado.</p><p>McCollum said it's an opportunity to incorporate what the community wants to the bypass through their area to look like. Also, there has been concern that green space, particularly Hurricane Creek, is preserved and made accessible, ­McCollum said.</p><p>When finished, the long-term plan will be given to members of the community, and it will be up to them to ensure it is not forgotten, Haywood said.</p><p><i>Reach Adam Jones at adam.jones@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0230.</i></p>